Coronary artery calcification and coronary flow velocity in haemodialysis patients

Background. Decreased coronary flow reserve (CFR) is a marker of endothelial dysfunction, coronary artery calcification and inflammation, well-known cardiovascular risk factors in haemodialysis (HD) patients. In this study, we aimed to investigate the correlation of coronary artery calcification scores (CACS) with CFR in HD patients. Methods. Sixty-four end-stage renal failure patients were enrolled in this study (38 males, 26 females). Thirty-nine healthy subjects (22 males, 17 females) were included in the control group. Biochemical parameters and acute-phase inflammation marker [high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)] of patients were recorded before dialysis. The CACS were measured by electron beam computerized tomography method. CFR recordings were performed by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography. The relationship between CACS and CFR was evaluated. Results. The mean CACS was 281 ± 589 and 29 patients had CACS 10 had significantly lower CFR values compared to patients with CACS 10 had significantly higher event rate [34.5% (10/29) vs 0% (0/24)] compared to those with CACS 10 groups. Conclusions. CACS was associated with CFR in HD patients. However, we did not find any association of inflammation with CACS and CFR. This association between CFR and CACS might indicate two different (anatomical and functional) aspects of the common pathophysiology of the arterial system in HD patients.